Health guide for you

Hemorrhoids Overview

Hemorrhoids are a condition of the veins in the anal tract getting swollen. Though a very common problem and a not so serious one, it can often be painful and traumatic. Usually two types of hemorrhoids are found. Internal hemorrhoids occur when the swollen veins are deep inside the anal canal. When the swelling is near the anal exit and often visible outside, it is called external hemorrhoids. You can suffer from either or both at any given time. The remedies and symptoms depend on the type of hemorrhoid.

Causative factors:

The main reason for hemorrhoids is excess pressure on the rectum and anus. The blood vessels on the inner lining of the anal tract supply the tissues with blood, so as there is an easy bowel movement. When too much of strain is applied to this area during regular bowel movement the vessels get swollen.

Constipation is the most important factor that causes strain during bowel movement. Women usually come up with the symptoms during the last two trimesters of their pregnancy. This is caused due to the excess pressure exerted by the weight of the fetus on the pelvis. This could worsen during the time of labor, when straining to deliver the baby.

Early warning signs:

Some of the most typical symptoms common to both internal and external hemorrhoids are:

Passing blood along with stool. The blood passed out is usually fresh and bright red, which means that the hemorrhoids have bled while straining to pass stool.

Itching near the rectal area.

Pain and bulging of the anal orifice which results in discomfort.

Internal Hemorrhoids:

The presence of bright blood and mucous on the toilet paper or the toilet bowl when you pass stool is an indication of internal hemorrhoids. The stool may also be coated with fresh blood. Typically, internal hemorrhoids are small and seen on the inner walls of the anal tract. But in exaggerated conditions, they can become large and the swollen veins can be seen bulging out of the anus. This is a very painful condition because they get compressed by the muscles of the anus. The pain increases when the blood supply gets constricted.

External Hemorrhoids:

External hemorrhoids can be seen near the anal exit as lumps, and are often extremely painful. They can bleed when passing stool and can cause difficulty in performing bowel movements.

Prophylaxis:

External hemorrhoids can be treated with simple home remedies. Including more fiber in the diet and drinking more water keeps the condition under check. Certain ‘over the counter’ ointments and medications are available, which reduce itching and discomfort. Using a laxative for severe cases of constipation will give relief from straining.

Internal hemorrhoids are tougher to treat and you will require taking the advice of your doctor. The treatments include shrinking the hemorrhoids by cutting off the blood supply with a rubber band or even surgical removal in severe cases.

The best way is to follow a healthy lifestyle. Altering your diet to include high fiber foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fish will keep symptoms under control. Make it a regular routine to exercise for half an hour and drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water. Hemorrhoids result due to sedentary life and wrong eating habits, so the power to control it is in your hands.